APPEAL. Mayor Jerry P. Treñas appeals for the full cooperation of the public as the local government gears to lift the enhanced community quarantine by May 1. In a press conference on Friday (April 17, 2020), he said there is a need for Ilonggos to return to work. (Photo by Arnold Almacen/City Mayor’s Office)
ILOILO CITY – The city government is geared towards lifting the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on May 1, seeing the need to allow Ilonggos to return to work.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas met with his economic and security teams on Friday to discuss the preparations for the eventual opening of businesses once the extended ECQ ends on April 30.
“Our direction is really to open on May 1,” Treñas said during a press conference.
However, he said the lifting of the extended ECQ would depend on the result of the rapid tests that will be conducted using the testing kits that were donated to the city.
Treñas said they discussed during a meeting that the test kits would be fully used before May 1 so they would know the situation in the metropolis before businesses open.
A random test will be conducted among members of the local police, media, and front-liners, among others.
He added that once businesses open, the protocols that have been put in place must still be observed, such as the conduct of rapid tests and the 14-day quarantine.
The curfew hours, currently from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next day, maybe shortened, and quarantine pass could be relaxed but border restrictions will stay. The wearing of face masks will still be mandatory. Classes will not resume, along with mass gatherings, such as burials, baptisms, and weddings.
The task force will meet on April 18 to come up with recommendations by Monday. Stringent measures will be implemented during the two weekends before May 1 as part of preparations for the lifting of the ECQ.
Treñas on April 15 signed Executive Order 063-A where establishments are allowed to operate for a maximum of six hours and not beyond 3 p.m. Only those who need to buy necessities and medicines may leave their residences, along with essential personnel, some members of the media, and those who will be recommended by the city government’s Covid-19 focal person and approved by the mayor.
As the city government gears to lift the ECQ, he called on everyone to cooperate to make sure that gradually, the city adjusts to the “new normal”. (PNA)
